Which place is cheaper, Tulum or Montego Bay?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Montego Bay or Tulum?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Montego Bay and Tulum can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.
Where Should I go: Montego Bay or Tulum?
Montego Bay
As with most places around the tropical oasis of Jamaica, Montego Bay (or "MoBay") is an ideal place to visit for a Caribbean getaway. It is Jamaica's second largest city and the capital of St. James parish on the northern coast. Montego Bay is considered to be the tourist capital of the country and is where the largest airport is located, bringing in many international travelers.
Tulum
When you think of ancient ruins you probably picture dusty archaeological digs surrounded by sand and professors in khaki shorts. What if I told you there is a way to see ancient ruins and visit a tropical beach? That's exactly what you find in Tulum, Mexico.
Built near the end of Mayan era, the ruins of Tulum served as a port before the arrival of the Spanish. It may have been called Zama, meaning City of Dawn, given that these ruins face the sunrise. Because of Tulum's access to both land and sea routes, this spot was an important hub for the trade industry. It may have had another claim to fame, too. According to some murals and other works around the site, it seems this spot was an important site for the worship of the Diving or Descending God. Today, the area is the third most visited archaeological site in all of Mexico with daily tour buses dropping off visitors.
This area is usually packed with people looking to get a glimpse of the seaside ruins. To avoid crowds and capture the best view of the day, try to arrive as early as possible.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Mexico, and The Best Historical Tours in Mexico.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayMontego Bay $203Tulum $122
The average daily cost (per person) in Montego Bay is $203, while the average daily cost in Tulum is $122. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Montego Bay and Tulum in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMontego Bay $104Tulum $60
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMontego Bay $208Tulum $120
Compare Hotels in Montego Bay and Tulum
Looking for a hotel in Montego Bay or Tulum? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.
Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.
Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Montego Bay Hotel Prices and Tulum Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Montego Bay $15Tulum $28
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Montego Bay
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Montego Bay:
- Shared Transfer: From/to Montego Bay International Airport: $8.33
- Montego Bay Hotels Private Transfer : $10
- Montego Bay Hotels Private Airport Transfer : $10
- Riu Reggae , Riu Palace & Riu Mobay Montego Bay Airport Transfers: $11
- Private Transfer Sangster International Airport to Montego Bay: $12
- RIU Reggae Palace and RIU Montego Bay Private Airport Transfer: $13
- Private Airport Transfer to Sandals Montego : $13
- MBJ Airport: Private Transfer to Montego Bay: $14
- Airport Transfer to RIU Montego Bay/Palace/Reggae: $14
- Private Airport Transfer to Half Moon - Holiday Inn - Zoetry: $14
- Private Airport Transfer to Breathless/ to Secrets Resort: $14
- Private Airport Transfer to Hyatt Ziva & Zilara to Jewel Grande: $14
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Tulum
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Tulum are as follows:
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Scooter Rental$18
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Tulum
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Tulum:
- Tulum to Cancún Airport (CUN) - Private Departure Transfer: $70
- Xcaret to Tulum - Private Transfer with Optional Sightseeing: $76
- Tulum to Xcaret - Private Transfer with Optional Sightseeing: $76
- Tulum to Playa del Carmen - Private Transfer with Optional Sightseeing: $82
- Private Transfer in Vehicle from Tulum to Cancun Airport : $91
- Horseback Riding in the Jungle w/ Transfers and Lunch: $100
- Departure Private Transfer from Tulum to Cancun Airport CUN by Minivan - Minibus: $117
- Tulum to Bacalar - Private Transfer with Optional Sightseeing: $153
- Tulum to Mahahual - Private Transfer with Optional Sightseeing: $160
- Private Transfer Tulum Zone - Cancun International Airport: $160
- One Way Private Tulum Transfers to or from Cancun Airport: $160
- Tulum to Chetumal - Private Transfer with Optional Sightseeing: $182
Is it cheaper to fly into Montego Bay or Tulum?
Prices for flights to both Tulum and Montego Bay change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.
Food
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Food Meals for one dayMontego Bay $84Tulum $34
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Montego Bay
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Montego Bay.
- Private Transportation to DINNER or NIGHT CLUBS: $55
- Lunch or Dinner with Pickup from Montego Bay : $81
- Night cruise and swim the Falmouth Mystic Lagoon, Dinner and Rum Punch Inclusive: $85
- Rick’s Cafe Cliff Diving, Sunset & Dinner Tour with Transportation : $130
- Sunset Boat Ride in the Falmouth Luminous Lagoon swim and Dinner : $165
- Sunset Boat Cruise in Falmouth Luminous Lagoon, Swim and Dinner : $170
- Restaurant Transportation for Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner Montego Bay: $180
- Houseboat Restaurant and Grill for Dinner Private Transportation : $180
- Private Sea-Food Tour & Floyds Pelican Bar from Montego Bay or ..: $185
- [PRIVATE] Premium Jamaican Food Tour of Local Cuisine: $190
Typical Food Prices in Tulum
Some typical examples of dining costs in Tulum are as follows:
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Lunch$3.00
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Tulum
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Tulum.
- Tulum Local Walking Food Tour: $86
- Vegan Walking Food Tour with Tasting: $87
- Mexican Cooking from Scratch and Mezcal Tasting in a Local Home in Tulum: $87
- Mayan Night Guided Tour, Cenote Swim and Mayan Dinner: $209
- Private transfer for 5 hours (go dinner,cenotes, shopping and more) : $299
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Montego Bay $32Tulum $32
Typical Entertainment Prices in Montego Bay
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Montego Bay are as follows:
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Admission to Doctor's Cave Beach$2.74
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Snorkeling Trip$19
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One Tank Dive$38
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1.5 Hr Horseback Ride$44
Tours and Activities in Montego Bay
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Montego Bay are as follows:
- Greenwood Great House Entry Ticket: $20
- Cinnamon Hill Great House Tour - Home of Johnny Cash: $23
- Skip the Line: Rose Hall Great House & Garden Tour Ticket: $30
- Montego Bay Sightseeing Tour and Souvenir Shopping: $35
- Private Shopping Tour in Montego Bay with Hotel Pickup: $35
- Skip the Line: Ahhh Ras Natango Gallery and Garden Admission Tickets: $35
- Rose Hall Great House Haunted Night Tour: $35
- Shopping and Sightseeing Tour of Montego Bay City: $39
- Shopping and Sightseeing Local Guided Tour In Montego Bay: $40
- Montego Bay Walking Tour: $40
- Bamboo Rafting, Hip-Strip & Margaritaville Tour from Montego Bay: $40
- Private Montego Bay Shopping Tour with Transportation: $45
Tours and Activities in Tulum
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Tulum are as follows:
- Audioguide Tulum, Audioguide-App Mayastadt Tulum, Tour Tulum Archaeological Site: $4.31
- Self-Guided Audio Tour - The Return Home: $10
- Self-Guided Audio Tour - Coba Ruins: The trail of the Mayas: $10
- Tulum Archeological Site Skip-the-Line Ticket: $12
- Skip-the-Line Entrance Ticket: $12
- Self-Guided Mayan Ruins Tour: $13
- Explore Coba: The Ultimate Self-Guided Audio & Map Tour: $15
- Archeological Guided Walking Tour in Tulum: $20
- Archaeological Site Guided Walking Tour: $20
- Tulum Mural Tours: $36
- Playa del Carmen: ATV, Cenote, and Zipline Tour with a Meal: $41
- Entrance tickets to swim in 4 Cenotes in Casa Tortuga Park: $42
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayMontego Bay $13Tulum $25
Sample the Local Flavors in Montego Bay
Also in Montego Bay, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Appleton Estate Admission Ticket & Distillery Tour with Tastings: $39
- Montego Bay Jamaica Rum Distillery Tour Private Driver: $215
Sample the Local Flavors in Tulum
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Tulum:
- 30 Minutes Brewery Tour in Tulum: $39
- Wine Tasting at Pan y Vino Tulum: $58
- Beer Tasting and Brewery Tour: $69
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Montego Bay and Tulum, we can see that Montego Bay is more expensive. And not only is Tulum much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Montego Bay is in Caribbean Islands and Tulum is in North America, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Tulum would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Tulum and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Montego Bay would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Montego Bay than you might in Tulum.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Montego Bay Expensive? and Is Tulum Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Montego Bay or Tulum?
Montego Bay has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Tulum. When comparing the sizes of Montego Bay and Tulum, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.
When is the best time to visit Montego Bay or Tulum?
Tulum has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Montego Bay experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Montego Bay or Tulum in the Summer?
Both Tulum and Montego Bay are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Montego Bay throughout the year. Also, the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Tulum this time of year.
In July, Montego Bay is generally around the same temperature as Tulum. Daily temperatures in Montego Bay average around 28°C (82°F), and Tulum fluctuates around 28°C (83°F).
It's quite sunny in Tulum. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Montego Bay. Montego Bay usually receives more sunshine than Tulum during summer. Montego Bay gets 257 hours of sunny skies, while Tulum receives 232 hours of full sun in the summer.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Tulum. In July, Montego Bay usually receives less rain than Tulum. Montego Bay gets 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Tulum receives 145 mm (5.7 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyMontego Bay 28°C (82°F)Tulum 28°C (83°F)
Should I visit Montego Bay or Tulum in the Autumn?
Both Tulum and Montego Bay during the autumn are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Montego Bay because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Tulum for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
Montego Bay is around the same temperature as Tulum in the autumn. The daily temperature in Montego Bay averages around 27°C (81°F) in October, and Tulum fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
In Tulum, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Montego Bay. In the autumn, Montego Bay often gets more sunshine than Tulum. Montego Bay gets 233 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Tulum receives 216 hours of full sun.
Tulum gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Montego Bay. Montego Bay usually gets less rain in October than Tulum. Montego Bay gets 130 mm (5.1 in) of rain, while Tulum receives 173 mm (6.8 in) of rain this time of the year. November to April is the dry season in Tulum. June to October is the rainy season in Tulum. Keep in mind that June to October is the hurricane season in Tulum.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberMontego Bay 27°C (81°F)Tulum 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Montego Bay or Tulum in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Montego Bay and Tulum. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Montego Bay year-round. Furthermore, many visitors come to Tulum in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
In the winter, Montego Bay is around the same temperature as Tulum. Typically, the winter temperatures in Montego Bay in January average around 24°C (75°F), and Tulum averages at about 23°C (74°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Tulum this time of the year. In Montego Bay, it's very sunny this time of the year. Montego Bay usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Tulum during winter. Montego Bay gets 226 hours of sunny skies, while Tulum receives 213 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Montego Bay usually receives more rain than Tulum. Montego Bay gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Tulum receives 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryMontego Bay 24°C (75°F)Tulum 23°C (74°F)
Should I visit Montego Bay or Tulum in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Montego Bay as well as Tulum. Montego Bay attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, most visitors come to Tulum for the beaches and the natural beauty during these months.
In April, Montego Bay is generally around the same temperature as Tulum. Daily temperatures in Montego Bay average around 25°C (77°F), and Tulum fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Tulum. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Montego Bay this time of the year. In the spring, Montego Bay often gets less sunshine than Tulum. Montego Bay gets 225 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Tulum receives 273 hours of full sun.
Montego Bay usually gets more rain in April than Tulum. Montego Bay gets 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Tulum receives 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain this time of the year. Also, November to April in Tulum is the dry season. June to October in Tulum is the rainy season. Also, June to October in Tulum is the hurricane season.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilMontego Bay 25°C (77°F)Tulum 27°C (81°F)
Typical Weather for Tulum and Montego Bay
| Montego Bay | Tulum | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 24°C (75°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 23°C (74°F) | 56 mm (2.2 in) |
| Feb | 24°C (75°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) |
| Mar | 25°C (77°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | 25°C (78°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) |
| Apr | 25°C (77°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) |
| May | 26°C (79°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 101 mm (4 in) |
| Jun | 27°C (81°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 192 mm (7.6 in) |
| Jul | 28°C (82°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 145 mm (5.7 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 167 mm (6.6 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 228 mm (9 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 173 mm (6.8 in) |
| Nov | 26°C (79°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 103 mm (4.1 in) |
| Dec | 25°C (77°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 24°C (74°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) |
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.